Saturday, November 20, 2010
BIG QUESTIONS
Do you like big questions? Me too. For instance, "Is Truth Beauty?" or "Will the universe end in a bang or a whimper?" or "What is a robin?". Take the "robin" question. I don't know what a robin is, but the robin does and because of that, it knows how to find a worm or build a nest and, from my perspective at least, when to sing in the morning. Robins probably don't spend much time thinking about what they are, because they already know and are simply too busy being robins. That's the way it is with most things in nature. In the game of life, they are already winners.
People have their own big question. "What is a human being?" Like robins, we have been very busy and we have answered a lot of questions, but I still don't think we know the answer to the one that really matters. In fact, in the game of life, we own the board and robins, as well as the rest of nature, are anxious to find out if we are going to be winners.
Sometimes, with really big questions, it can be easier to find what is not the answer. For example, what is not being human? Is it the same as being inhumane or is it just being sub-human? Is a robin sub-human? Or is "sub-human" simply a human that misses the mark? A quick look around or a short walk through history and we know the answer to that one. Pick up a paper. Examples abound. Pick a civilization. You probably don't want to go there. We have been better at not being human than almost any other creature on the planet. Quite a distinction, when you think about it.
Still thinking? That's what makes us special, isn't it? Just think of everything we've thought. Our inventions could fill the world, and just about have. Our handiwork might appear to make us more special - more human, but it's more like they've made us super-human. Can you fix a cell phone? can anyone?? Instead, just throw it away. Remember, we're filling a world. The point is that our thoughts and the changes they've wrought have created a sphere that's a bit beyond us. Our fabrications have taken on a life of their own and they've begun to consume us. Sadly, the super-human side of us has an unsustainable flavor, which is almost never helpful when answering really big questions.
So there we have it. The planet is busting with people, yet authentic human beings are in short supply, or at least in desperate need of being defined. "What is a human being?" The answer is important to everyone who values humanity - and to robins, because they would like to remain being robins. Each of us has responsibility for exactly one six point seven billionth of the answer and it's not OK to use a calculator. If we can somehow find the answer, it will make it possible to ask more questions, to build nests, find worms and, most importantly, sing in the morning.
Hoping for an expansion of humanity, this season and through the coming year...
~PBob
Do you like big questions? Me too. For instance, "Is Truth Beauty?" or "Will the universe end in a bang or a whimper?" or "What is a robin?". Take the "robin" question. I don't know what a robin is, but the robin does and because of that, it knows how to find a worm or build a nest and, from my perspective at least, when to sing in the morning. Robins probably don't spend much time thinking about what they are, because they already know and are simply too busy being robins. That's the way it is with most things in nature. In the game of life, they are already winners.
People have their own big question. "What is a human being?" Like robins, we have been very busy and we have answered a lot of questions, but I still don't think we know the answer to the one that really matters. In fact, in the game of life, we own the board and robins, as well as the rest of nature, are anxious to find out if we are going to be winners.
Sometimes, with really big questions, it can be easier to find what is not the answer. For example, what is not being human? Is it the same as being inhumane or is it just being sub-human? Is a robin sub-human? Or is "sub-human" simply a human that misses the mark? A quick look around or a short walk through history and we know the answer to that one. Pick up a paper. Examples abound. Pick a civilization. You probably don't want to go there. We have been better at not being human than almost any other creature on the planet. Quite a distinction, when you think about it.
Still thinking? That's what makes us special, isn't it? Just think of everything we've thought. Our inventions could fill the world, and just about have. Our handiwork might appear to make us more special - more human, but it's more like they've made us super-human. Can you fix a cell phone? can anyone?? Instead, just throw it away. Remember, we're filling a world. The point is that our thoughts and the changes they've wrought have created a sphere that's a bit beyond us. Our fabrications have taken on a life of their own and they've begun to consume us. Sadly, the super-human side of us has an unsustainable flavor, which is almost never helpful when answering really big questions.
So there we have it. The planet is busting with people, yet authentic human beings are in short supply, or at least in desperate need of being defined. "What is a human being?" The answer is important to everyone who values humanity - and to robins, because they would like to remain being robins. Each of us has responsibility for exactly one six point seven billionth of the answer and it's not OK to use a calculator. If we can somehow find the answer, it will make it possible to ask more questions, to build nests, find worms and, most importantly, sing in the morning.
Hoping for an expansion of humanity, this season and through the coming year...
~PBob
